Hi, we just returned from a visit to that area. On the road between Phabeni Gate and Skukuza we had noticed some big flowering trees. The flowers are red. We were unable to figure out the name of those trees. Any idea what their name might be?

Yes, the Weaping boer bean or Huilboerboon trees are in full bloom at the moment. A stunning clear red flower on a big green tree, usually growing next to a stream or river bed. They have an excelent tasting nectar, worth sampling if you find one in camp. Just tap the flowers on your hand. It will release the clear nectar.

Consulted with my 'on hand expert'..... The tree looks like a Weeping Boerbean Schotia brachypetala, But looking at the pods.....there are different leaves near them, so it is likely there is a creeper in the tree. Would need clearer pics of the creeper to identify.

Smiling is contagious. Start an epidemic today!

Have you read the entrance permit? Do you KNOW the Conditions of Entry?

Thanks for the suggestion, EJ. However, when I googled, it looks like the weeping boerbean pods are quite different (shorter, flatter, and sometimes sickle shaped) from the long, skinny pods on this tree?

Unless you think that those pods belong to the creeper? Unfortunately I don't have any closer pix of the leaves .....

Whoops! Looks like I never included the 'lightened' photo, so here it is

arks wrote:OK, I've cropped and lightened the photo of the pod(s), perhaps that helps with ID? And the tree itself is a weeping boerbean? Much thanks to you and your "on hand expert" for your help with this. Very interesting that the pods are a creeper and not the tree.

I actually took the photos for the rainy day atmosphere that day (all the different shades of green on the hillside), then zoomed in on the pods hoping that they would help to ID the foreground tree